22nd July, 2010 – One of the biggest games ever to launch for the Nintendo DS family of systems will arrive in Europe on 23rd July, giving European consumers a chance to experience the hand-held gaming phenomenon that has already attracted more than 4.2 million players in Japan. With unique features that let players customise characters and connect with friends via a local wireless connection to take on epic adventures, DRAGON QUEST IX®: Sentinels of the Starry SkiesTM, developed by Square Enix Co., Ltd., gives people of all ages, backgrounds and gaming experience levels a remarkable way to combine imaginative game play and social fun.

Players begin by creating fully customised heroes to guide on their quest, choosing from different face, hair and even eye colour. As they journey forth, characters are further developed and enhanced as they choose from more than 1,000 items and pieces of equipment, change jobs and abilities, and join up with new customisable companions. Using a local wireless connection, up to four players within range of each other can band together at any time to explore mysterious dungeons and tangle with fearsome monsters throughout a spellbinding world of adventure.

In addition to a wireless multiplayer mode, DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies includes an interactive Canvassing Mode that allows players to keep the game active even while their Nintendo DS system is stored in their pocket, purse or backpack. When two players come within range of one another, Canvassing Mode enables them to wirelessly – and automatically – exchange character information, customised greetings and treasure maps. These treasure maps allow players to find otherwise inaccessible dungeons called grottoes featuring special boss monsters and even rare items.

Interacting with different characters will unfold the story and point players toward their next quest. Players might be asked to find a missing item or to defeat a monster in a particular way. All quests come with a reward, which might be anything from a rare item to a new, unlocked occupation. During their journey, players will encounter mighty monsters in fast-paced battles. The more foes players defeat, the stronger they become. Players who get the urge to upgrade their characters can visit an in-game online shop (broadband Internet access required) to acquire new items using in-game currency they have collected while playing. The selection of items changes daily. Players can also connect online to download new weekly quests for about a year from the launch of the game, each with its own challenges and rewards.

The adventure begins when DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies launches in Europe for the Nintendo DS family of consoles on 23rd July.

For more information about DRAGON QUEST IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, visit http://dragonquest9.co.uk

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its WiiTM home console and Nintendo DSTM family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment SystemTM, Nintendo has sold more than 3.4 billion video games and more than 565 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSiTM and Nintendo DSi TMXL, as well as the Game BoyTM, Game Boy Advance, Super NESTM, Nintendo 64TM and Nintendo GameCubeTM systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as MarioTM, Donkey KongTM, MetroidTM, ZeldaTM and PokémonTM. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of Europe, based in Grossostheim, Germany, was established in 1990 and serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in Europe.